The tragedy of Scotty Eveland

U-T San Diego Editorial Staff

On Friday, Sept. 14, 2007, America was not still in the dark ages when it came to awareness of football and brain injuries. So far that month, more than 700 U.S. newspapers had carried stories about concussions suffered at every level of the violent sport. ABC News featured interviews with brain-damaged former players seeking disability benefits. The morning of Sept. 14, the U-T sports section reported that Chargers coach Norv Turner praised the NFL for tightening rules to try to reduce concussions.

Later that day, however, according to the testimony of a courageous student trainer, Mission Hills High School football coach Chris Hauser ordered a senior linebacker, Scotty Eveland, to start a game even though the coach knew that Eveland had told trainer Scott Gommel that he had a headache so intense he could barely see. Another student trainer said Gommel had corroborated that account. After entering the game, Eveland collapsed, suffering from a traumatic brain injury that left him permanently unable to care for himself.

All the key adults involved claimed Eveland never told anyone he was hurting. But last week, the San Marcos Unified School District settled the lawsuit filed by his family for $4.375 million.

Hauser, meanwhile, continues as head coach at Mission Hills in North County, where he oversees a winning program.

Eveland? He’s not mentioned on the website devoted to the glories of the Grizzlies.

We’re glad his family is satisfied with the settlement. But we doubt we’re the only ones who wonder if justice has been done.